President Rodrigo Duterte did not mince words in praising Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso for taking steps to clean up the country’s capital city.
Speaking to reporters in Malacañang on Tuesday, September 10, Duterte lauded Moreno, saying, “Bilib ako sa kanya kaya nanonood ako kung nagsasalita siya. Mas mahusay siya kaysa akin, sa totoo lang (I admire him that is why I watch every time he speaks in public. He is better than me, to be honest).”
Since he assumed office, Moreno has been receiving praises from the public as well as his fellow government officials for the immediate implementation of his projects, including clearing clogged streets and illegal vendors in Manila.
The country’s Chief Executive admitted to the public that he found someone who has ‘better’ resolve than him.
“Plus two ako sa kanya [Moreno] (He has two points from me),” he said.
Moreno, meanwhile, was humbled by the praise showered upon him by the former Davao City mayor, whom, he said, is one of his ‘inspirations’ in governing the capital city.
“Naalala ko po nung lagi akong nagagawi sa Davao nung araw. ‘Di naman po lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan, lalong lalo na ‘yung taga-Maynila, na ako po ay naninigarilyo. Pero ‘pag nasa Davao City po ako, takot na takot akong manigarilyo dahil alam kong huhulihin ako (I remember the time we went to Davao before. It is not a secret, especially those living in Manila, that I’m smoking. But whenever I’m in Davao City, I’m afraid to smoke because I know I will be arrested),” he said.
“In fact, there was one time, galing po kami ng Tagum pabalik ng Davao City. Medyo dis oras na ng gabi pero biglang bumagal po ang takbo ng sasakyan namin so tinanong namin ‘yung driver kung bakit. Simple lang ‘yung sagot niya, ‘Kasi po nasa Davao City na tayo. Kahit gabi ho dito, may pulis man o wala, sumusunod po kami sa batas trapiko (we were heading back to Davao City from Tagum [City]. It was very late at night but our vehicle suddenly slowed down so we asked our driver why. His answer was simple, ‘Because we are in Davao City already. Even though it is night time here, whether or not there is a police officer, we are following the traffic rules’),” he added.
Moreno said the determination of all the local chief executives to fix their respective cities is a “reflection” of how Duterte governs the whole country.
“We owe it to you, Mr. President, for inspiring us and for becoming a good example to all of us,” the Manila City mayor said.